ROCKFORD — Terry Peterson plans to retire July 8 after nearly 32 years as a Rockford Police Department officer.

Peterson was recently elected to a third two-year term as president of Police Benevolent & Protective Association Unit 6. He plans to serve out his term, which expires in April 2016.

“It has been an interesting career and it’s ending on an interesting note,” he said.

He has grown more vocal as union president about Chief Chet Epperson’s administration. Most recently, he filed a formal complaint with the Rockford Board of Fire and Police Commissioners on behalf of the union against Epperson.

Peterson would like to see improvements to how the department is operated and better morale among rank-and-file officers. He sees a change in leadership as the only viable solution.

For nearly his entire career, he has worked the night shift, assigned to what he calls the “paddy wagon,” a prisoner transport van, since 2009. Before that he was assigned to the front desk in the Public Safety Building, functions that were turned over to civilians during the recession as hours were reduced.

“During my career, I always did the best I could and did it for the right reasons,” he said. “I think I served the community with honor and distinction.

“We have top-notch people there and always have, and we have always been a top-notch department. But we need to get things back to an adequate working environment.”